Pumas vs Sharks: Preview, Prediction, Betting Tips

The Sharks are riding high at the top of the table and will not want anything to slow that run down, but a tricky trip to the Pumas could derail their charge for Currie Cup glory.

Having now beaten every team in the tournament, after enacting revenge on a weakened Cheetahs side, the Sharks look well set to at least make it a home semi final, and probably also a home final – if not win the entire competition. However, they do have a tough fixture to overcome in the form of the abrasive Pumas – at home in Mbombela. The Pumas were no match in the early stages of the competition for the Sharks as they beat them 29-0, but a lot has happened since then and the men from the north of the country are a lot better and have taken some big scalps along the way. The Sharks will be aiming to make it seven wins in a row after only losing on week one against the Cheetahs.

The Pumas are never really title contenders, but their aim this season must be to ty and make the playoffs and see how far they can go from there with a game or two of brilliance. They currently sit in fifth spot, but are tied on points with fourth placed Western Province, and are one point back from the Bulls in third – so they are not far off making an impact in the knock outs. However, they needs to get a win this weekend to really elevate them to quarterfinalists as the sands of time start to run out. It won’t be easy against the form team in the competition, but they have the home ground advantage and they also have a lot of experience since they last suffered a humiliating loss to the men from Durban.

Pumas vs Sharks: Previous matches

Lions vs Pumas 29-28

Pumas vs Bulls 51-15

Griquas vs Pumas 21-27

Pumas vs Cheetahs 34-45

Western Province vs Pumas 34-19

Sharks vs Cheetahs 45-15

Western province vs Sharks 20-21

Lions vs Sharks 31-47

Bulls vs Sharks 20-28

Sharks vs Griquas 41-3

Pumas vs Sharks: Head to Head Stats

The Sharks have the edge over the Pumas in a big way historically in this fixture. The last 10 games have seen 10 wins for the Sharks with two coming for the Pumas, which were back to back wins over 2014/2015.

Pumas vs Sharks: Prediction

The pumas have definitely improved since their 29-0 defeat to the Sharks, they have held the Bulls and Griquas recently and were unlucky to lose to the Lions by one point last week. However, the Sharks are top of the log for a reason, and even on the road they will be too much of a threat for the Pumas.